Air pollution levels drop in Bangkok

Air pollution levels in Greater Bangkok improved on Thursday morning as only 11 areas reported unsafe levels of PM2.5 – airborne particulates 2.5 microns in diameter and smaller, the Pollution Control Department said.

However, the department cautioned that there might be an increase in PM2.5 levels in the afternoon due to the lack of wind.

As of 7am on Thursday, the PCD report said the PM2.5 levels rose beyond the safe limit of 50 micrograms per cubic metre of air in six roadside areas and five general areas (away from main roads).

This was a big drop from Tuesday's peak where 40 areas were considered to have unsafe levels (with nearly 10 locations having PM2.5 above 90 micrograms, earning “code-red” status). On Wednesday the PCD reported that 14 areas of Greater Bangkok had unsafe levels of PM2.5 at around 51-69 micrograms per cubic metre of air.

The hardest-hit areas on Thursday morning included Rama II road in Samut Sakhon's Muang district with 71 micograms of PM2.5, Nakhon Pathom sub-district in Nakhon Pathom's Muang district at 59 micrograms, and Song Khanong sub-district in Samut Prakan's Phra Pradaeng district at 57 micrograms.

Phayathai sub-district in Bangkok's Phayathai district and Bang Put sub-district in Nonthaburi's Pakkred district, showed code-green good air quality levels with PM2.5 amount in 26-37 micrograms